Closure with jigger-type of seal



July 8, 1958 E. s. TUPPER CLOSURE WITH JIGGER-TYPE OF SEAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 12, 1955 i 4 M L 5...; LJ

E 1 V RJF INVENTOR R/- S- TIJPPER BY v XY-TfiZ/W"? July 8, 1958 E. S. TUPPER CLOSURE WITH JIGGER-TYPE OF SEAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 12, 1955 INVENTOR.

Ema. s TIJPPER. Iwmw M Unite CLOSURE wrrn nooEn-TYPE F SEAL Earl S. Topper, Upton, Mass, assignor to Tupper Corporation, North Smithfield, R. 1., a corporation of Delaware Application January 12, 1955, Serial No. 481,350

Claims. (Cl. 141-381) g herein on November 8, 1949.

The primary object of the invention herein resides in the provision of a removable and locally deformable cover seal as described in U. S. Patent No. 2,487,400 but modified by the provision of a pouring spout on the main wall also sealable by a locally deformable measuring jigget or cup whereby the main cover seal .serves as a durable, yieldable, shock proof, air and fluid-tight closure for the container contents during times of storage and whereby the contents of the container may be conveniently and measurably dispensed by removal and use of the spout seal.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a spout applied to a main closure for a container wherein the closure is capable of local deformation prior to complete closure for creating a partial vacuum inside the container so that the increase in the air content by virtue of the volumetric capacity of the spout seal does not dilute or oxidize the aromatic or other elements of the container contents.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a main seal for a closure and an auxiliary seal for a pouring spout on the main seal wherein the parts are formed of locally deformable thermoplastic material having properties which elfectuate the advantages of the invention. Such thermoplastic material includes polyethylene, the vinyls, treated styrenes and other plastics having similar characteristics such as being nonabsorptive, not readily wetted by water, odorless, resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents and other chemicals at ordinary temperatures. Further characteristics of such materials are non-softening far below the boiling point of Water, resistance to mildews, micro-organisms and insects, non-fracturable and absorptive of blows and shocks and capability of local distortion to enable easy storage, safety in transportation and refrigeration when quarters are cramped, and capability of easy expansion and contraction for various temperatures and pressures.

Although polyethylene has been found to be the most suitable plastic polymer which has all the above characteristics, it is understood that plastic materials reduced to similar physical properties are applicable as mentioned.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a container closure spout having a measuring and sealable spout cover for use in industrial, commercial and consumer containers and which is strong, durable, resistant to wear, tear, shocks of handling, storage and impact, is electrically non-conductive and is capable of reusability and applicability with and to diiferent containers.

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A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a compound type of closure which is particularly adaptable for use wtih vacuum-packed food or coffee cans and like containers and which is adapted to replace the conventional can closure after severance and separation of the vacuum strip seal, the structure of the sealing edge of the main closure cooperating with the open upper end of the container to seal in the contents.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a removable sealing closure provided with a pouring spout having a measuring type of removable jigger seal wherein the closure is integrally formed with ,movable closure seal having a sealable spout and being particularly adapted for use with vacuum-packed and non-vacuum-packed food cans and containers such as coffee, or the like and which is reusable with different cans or containers after the contents therein have been exhausted, said closure having the capacity to retain the contents in air and fluid-tight condition to preserve freshness, retain aromatic flavor and to permit the container contents to be conveniently and measurably dispensed through an integrally formed pouring spout into the spout seal after separation from the spout thereby eliminating the necessity for removing the closure from the container when it is desired to dispense the contents.

Another object of the invention resides in a sanitary, eificient, durable and economical combined cover and pouring spout which is reusable and adaptable for closure, pouring and measuring purposes.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the progress of the disclosure and as pointed out in the appended claims.

Accompanying this specification are drawings showing preferred forms of the invention wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the same in operative use on a cover-severed vacuum-packed coifee can, the closure being shown in a partially flexed state during either the initial stage of removal or the final stage of positioning on the open upper end of the container for creating a partial vacuum;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the container and engaging compound closure taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure l, but illustrating the closure when in complete frictional engagement with the container;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view shown partly in section showing the compound closure in partly disengaged position and being used as a pouring spout'and measuring cup for the container contents;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a modified form of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the modified form of the invention of Figure 4 in operative use as a pouring spout and measuring cup.

In accordance with the invention and the preferred forms shown, the removable and sealing closure is suitablefor application to any type of container, but specifically and as shown in Figures 1-3, has application to replacement of conventional container .covers such as cover 10 removed and discardable from the vacuum can 11. The letter A'represents generally the closure of the invention herein as applied to a container such as a coffee can, but it is understood that the container portion itself may also be of thermoplastic material and that contents from the factory, plant or filling station may be filled in such containers and sealed with the closure of the invention herein.

Closure A includes a central wall 12 which terminates edgewise in an inverted, raised and peripheral groove generally indicated by numeral 13 and having an inner wall 14, a spaced outer wall 15 provided with an outwardly extending lateral flange 16 and a top connecting wall 17. Flange 16 may be provided with a downwardly extending wall at the free edge as indicated by numeral 16a. As shown, the central wall of closure A is circular, but it is understood that the size and perimetric shape thereof are selective only depending upon required capacity and shape of containers 11 with which the device is intended to be employed.

Closure A being formed of a thermoplastic material and having properties characteristic of polyethylene is locally deformable to finger pressure but at the same time is sufiiciently rigid to be self shape-retaining. Thus the peripheral groove portions 14, 15, 17 and the lateral flange 1616a of closure A serve not only as sealing and grasping elements as will appear but also as a reinforcing rim for the closure permitting the latter to be made of relatively thin gauge.

The closure groove as described thus far serves to effectuate a removable and hermetically sealed closure with the upper edge and adjacent area of side wall 18 of container 11. The groove outer wall 15 may be formed with an inwardly and downwardly inclined inner face 19 which frictionally engages the outer and upper surface of the container side wall 18 (Figure 2).

It is to be noted that deformation of face 19 and simultaneous spreading of the groove outer wall 15 will occur as closure A is forced downwardly over the container open upper edge 20 resulting in a pressurized seal between the face 19 and the outer face of container side wall 18 to seal the contents within the container in an air and fluid-tight manner as well as serving to retain the closure securely thereon. f course, the smallest inner lateral dimension of face 19 should be less than the outer lateral dimension of container wall 18 at contact areas to effectuate best sealing results.

The closure A as described has been shown in a conventional vacuum-packed can or container 11 but it may be used as heretofore mentioned with other types of containers. Such containers may of course be formed of thermoplastic material including vinyls, polystyrenes and other substances having similar physical characteristics.

Closure A as described is modified herein to oifer a pouring spout and a measuring cup in the form of a hermetical jigger type of seal, the latter serving the double function of sealing and measuring quantities of contents removed from the container.

Thus central wall 12 of closure A is integrally formed with a pouring spout indicated generally by numeral 21, said spout being shown adjacent to the closure groove 13, although spout 21 may be positioned at any other preselected portion of wall 12. Spout 21 preferably includes a vertically extending cylindrical portion 22 integrally formed at its upper end with an upwardly and outwardly directed frusto-conical portion 23, the lower end of the frustoconical portion 23 forming with portion 22 a shoulder 24. Cylindrical portion 22 communicates with the interior of container 11 through a cylindrical bore 25 which connects at its upper end with. an enlarged concentric cylindrical bore 26, the latter on the outer surface having the frusto-couical portion 23.

A removable and cooperating measuring and sealing device shown by a cup or jigger generally indicated by letter B is provided and includes a side wall 27 integrally formed at its upper end with an outwardly and upwardly directed frusto-conical portion 28. The device B has a bottom wall 29 provided with a ridge 30 integrally formed at the periphery and on the undersurface, said ridge as shown being substantially triangular in cross section. Ridge 30 provides a linear contact with any supporting surface and serves to support the combined measuring and sealing device in an upstanding position in a more stable manner, as will be obvious. As shown, side wall 27 is slightly outwardly tapered from bottom wall 29, but it is understood that the necessity of the taper and the size and shape are selective only. For hermetical engagement with spout 21, side wall 27 adjacent the outwardly flared portion 28 is provided with an inwardly and upwardly directed frustoconical bore 31 adapted to frictionally engage the frustoconical portion 23 of the pouring spout when pressed downwardly thereon for closure functioning.

Cup or jigger B is formed preferably of the same type of locally deformable thermoplastic material as closure A and is capable of independent uses as a receptacle as well as the intended use herein as a measuring device in conjunction with the container contents and as a seal for the spout on the container main closure.

Specific engagement between spout 21 and jigger B is positive and pressurized for hermetical sealing. Thus, the largest diameter of the frusto-conical portion 23 is somewhat less than outside diameter of the spout cylindrical portion 22, and that the outwardly flared portion 28 of the jigger clears said portion 22 as it is forced downwardly thereover by a mutual action such as a spreading action of bore 31 and a compression of portion 23. This results in a gripping and snapping action as the frustoconical portion 23 of the pouring spout is received within the frusto-conical bore 31 of the measure. The shoulder 24 of the spout 21 engages the inner surface of the frustoconical portion 23 while the mouth edge of the jigger engages main closure wall 12 to further assist in the positioning of the jigger on the spout, as shown in Figure 2. It is further to be noted that the peripheral frusto-conical portion 28 of the jigger B serves as a reinforcing rim rcsisting the easy deformability thereof.

Thus, the jigger B serves as a frictionally removable and frictionally sealable closure for the pouring spout 21. After removal of the jigger and as shown in Figure 3, contents of the can or container 11 may be dispensed through pouring spout 21 into the jigger without removing the main closure A. I igger B may be of a predetermined and calibrated capacity to permit easy and ready dispensing of any predetermined amount of coffee, milk or the like thus eliminating the necessity of using the conventional measuring devices. After the measured contents have been emptied from the jigger, the latter is returned to the position of Figure 2 to seal off the spout and contents of the container until the next dispensing operation.

When the contents of container 11 have been exhausted, the closure with the spout and sealing jigger may then be removed therefrom to be placed upon the next container or the same container may be replenished.

Referring now particularly to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a modified form of the invention wherein the pouring spout indicated generally at 21 is integrally formed at the upper end of the frusto-conical portion 23 with an upwardly and inwardly flared truncated frusto-conical portion 32, the spout being provided with a uniform central bore 25' extending completely therethrough. By means of the truncated frusto-conical portion 32, it is possible, as shown in Figure 5, to pour the contents of the container 11 with greater accuracy into the measuring and sealing jigger B as will be obvious. It will be noted that the truncated frusto-conical portion 32 is adapted to be snugly received within the interior of the side wall 27 of the measure to also increase the frictional contact therewith.

In other respects the form of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5 is the same as that shown in Figures 1-3,

and like reference numerals identify like parts throughout the several views.

As has heretofore been mentioned, the volumetric capacity of jigge'r B introduces extra air into container 11 when applied to spout 21 or 21 as a seal. This may lead to oxidation and flavor loss of the contents. To compensate therefor, the jigger B when applied to the spout is compressed below wall 29 during application for sealing,

the compression being communicated to the spout parts.

After pressure release, hermetical sealing takes place.

In applying closure A on the container with jigger B already in sealed position on spout 21 or 21, it is merely necessary to align the closure groove 13 with the peripheral container edge and at a preselected area force the groove down to lowermost position with the fingers. Thereafter by a progressive sliding movement by finger pressure around the groove top wall 17 full sealing takes place. However, prior to complete closure, the container contents may be burped to effect a partial vacuum by depressing container Wall 12 as shown in Figure l to minimize presence of air in the container contents and as contributed by the volumetric capacity of jigger B. The existence of a partial vacuum also contributes to better sealing capacity between the engaging parts.

In removing closure A carrying jigger B in sealed position on spout 21 or 21, it is merely'necessary to bear downward pressure on top wall 12 with one finger and simultaneously to lift by means of the thumb the lower edge of flange portion 16a as shown in Figure 1. The depression of top wall 12 of closure A causes a displacing action between groove wall 15 and container wall 18 whereupon the closure is lifted in a peeling-off type of operation.

It is understood that closure A and pouring spout 21. or 21 may be formed in any of the conventional methods in use and the manner of production in no way affects the invention. Included in these methods are injection, compression and blow molding as Well as vacuum forming means. Moreover the container, as heretofore mentioned and when made of plastic material may be formed in similar fashion if desired.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with a vacuum-packed coffee can, whether of metal or non-metal, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it is equally applicable to other types of con tainers and other forms of contents.

It is distinctly understood that minor changes and variations in the material, integration, location, arrangement, size, connection and separation of parts may all be resorted to for practicing the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A removable and deformable closure for containers comprising a closure main wall, a peripheral upwardly offset flange on said main wall to frictionally, removably and sealably engage the container, a deformable pouring spout projecting from said main wall and surrounding an opening therein, and a frictionally engaging and removable sealing and deformable measuring chamber deeper than and for said spout for imposing a vacuum in the container by selectively deforming the closure or the measuring chamber prior to respective'full application thereof.

2. A removable and deformable closure for containers comprising a closure main wall, a peripheral, raised and inverted groove on said main wall having an inner, an outer and a top connecting wall to frictionally, removably and sealably engage the container mouth edge, said groove outer wall having finger engaging means for applying and removing the closure to and from the container, a pouring spout projecting from said main Wall and surrounding an opening, and a frictionally engaging and removable sealing and deformable measuring chamber deeper than and for said spout for imposing a vacuum in the container by selectively deforming the closure or the measuring chamber prior to respective full application thereof.

3. A removable and deformable closure for containers comprising a closure main wall, a peripheral and upwardly offset flange on said main wall to frictionally, removably and sealably engage the container, a deformable pouring spout projecting from said main wall and surrounding an opening therein, a frictionally engaging and removable sealing, deformable measuring chamber deeper than and for said spout for imposing a vacuum in the container by selectively deforming the closure or the measuring chamber prior to respective full application thereof and cooperating means between the pouring spout and the chamber for hermetical and removable engagement.

4. In combination, a container and deformable closure therefor, said deformable closure having a main wall, a peripheral upwardly offset flange on said main wall to frictionally, removably and sealably engage the container, a deformable pouring spout projecting from said main wall and surrounding an opening therein, a frictionally engaging and removable deformable sealing and measuring chamber for said spout for imposing a vacuum in the container by selectively deforming the containenthe closure, or the measuring chamber prior to complete closure of the said removable closure and the measuring chamber.

5. In the combination of claim 4 wherein said upwardly offset flange is comprised of an inner and outer wall and a top wall joining said walls the outer wall having a horizontal and outwardly extending flange for finger engagement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,213,918 Stems Jan. 30, 1917 1,869,712 Palmer Aug. 2, 1932 2,128,933 Foster Sept. 6, 1938 2,245,774 Gregorek June 17, 1941 2,565,699 Rieke Aug. 28, 1951 2,623,660 Warren Dec. 30, 1952 2,754,866 Coltman July 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 294,294 Switzerland Jan. 16, 1954 1,075,630 France Apr. 14,1954 

